The Israeli Opera Festival at Masada returns to its spectacular setting with a new production of La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, June 12-17.

Following its successful debut in 2010 with Nabucco , and productions of Aida (2011) and Carmen (2012), the Israeli Opera Festival at Masada returns to its spectacular setting with a new production of La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, June 12-17. Directed by Michal Znaniecki, one of the most renowned opera directors in the world today, La Traviata is conducted by Daniel Oren, one of the most sought after conductors in today’s opera world, who has conducted all the productions at Masada. Romanian-born soprano Elena Mosuc is playing the role of Violetta.

This year the festival is extending its activity to the north of Israel, to the Western Galilee, with the first Akko Opera Festival. This Mozart celebration in Akko will take place on the following weekend, June 19-21, performed at the Crusaders Courtyard in the Old City, anoth - er UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site like Masada. The pro - gram will feature the opera Don Giovanni , Mozart’s Requiem , a spe - cial performance of The Magic Flute for the whole family and a colorful Knights’ feast in the reconstructed Knights’ Halls. In addition to the four performances of La Traviata , and the IPO concert, the Israeli Opera Festival also features a show by the Idan Raichel Project.

For tickets and more information: *6226, www.opera-masada.com, (03) 692-7777 and www.israeli-opera.co.il.